Perla E. Cruz-Tato
PhD. Chemistry
Trujillo Alto
Summary
Meticulous and well-trained Ph.D. Chemist with over 14 years of educational and hands-on experience in nanomaterials, polymeric supports, and analytical characterization skills seeking a position in an analytical laboratory. Bringing top-notch expertise in synthesizing new materials and analytical characterization, electrochemistry, and water treatment technologies. Goal-oriented and passionate chemist eager to contribute to the ICF team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in the forensic field.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Scientific Infrastructure Manager
Molecular Science Research Center
San Juan
10.2023 - Current
- Managed all MSRC's equipment and facilities: Surface Microscopy and Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Analytical Spectroscopy and Particle Size and Structure.
- Offered trainings to all the users of technical aspects and scientific instrumentation operation.
- Interacted with research community in academia, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations to prepare and analyze samples with different methods and techniques.
- Collaborated with researchers in the experimental conceptualization, literature review and manuscript writing.
- Implemented new characterization methods for the scientific community, and instrumentation usage policies.
- Collaborated in the redaction of external funds.
Research Associate
University Of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
02.2022 - 09.2023
- Worked in collaboration with Eng. Justine Richardson (NASA ARC) in the development of liquid sorbents for CO2 capture.
- Assisted and actively participated in research planning, design and execution to address defined problems in the topics of: water remediation using polymeric membranes, biosensors and synthesis of CO2-liquid sorbents.
- Leveraged interpersonal and communication skills to mentor 5 graduate and 6 undergraduate students. Monthly group and individual meetings to monitor progress.
- Collaborated to publish 3 scientific articles and a book chapter.
- Identified sources of funding to prepare research proposals and submit funding applications.
- Developed research proposals, identified research objectives and created research plans.
Associate Chemistry Professor
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Taught General Chemistry I and II laboratory.
- Engaged students and promoted intellectual curiosity through hands-on experiments and PowerPoint presentations.
- Instructed students in laboratory safety protocols for proper use of chemicals and safe disposal of hazardous materials, and basic chemistry concepts.
- Maintained records of student progress and lab completions.
- Contributed to the preparation of quizzes and exams to measure students' learning.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
NASA Post-Doctoral Fellow
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
06.2020 - 01.2022
- Worked in collaboration with Eng. Michael Flynn (NASA ARC) in the fabrication of photocatalytic materials to improve water treatment technologies, and prevent organic and biological fouling
- Developed and characterized new type of polymeric membrane modified with transition-metal dichalcogenides nanosheets and hydrophilic polymers with outstanding capabilities.
- Collaborated with graduate students to optimize their research workflow and achieve objectives. Resulting in two peer-reviewed articles.
- Enforced laboratory safety protocols and enabled safe work environment.
- Worked to improve collective knowledge of membrane science, polymer chemistry, analytical and surface analysis techniques
Graduate Student Researcher
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
08.2014 - 05.2020
- Research scope: synthesis, fabrication and evaluation of polymeric membranes for wastewater reclamation with specific interest in electroactive surfaces for fouling remediation (PI: Dr. Eduardo Nicolau).
- Authored three scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals from American Chemical Society.
- Prepared proposals and seminars.
- Designed and performed experiments, data interpretation and analysis to draw conclusions on outcomes.
- Supervised 8 undergraduate students working on research projects.
NASA Graduate Fellow
NASA Ames Research Center
Mountain View
09.2015 - 08.2019
- Center based research experience of 12-weeks per year at Bioengineering branch (Technical advisor: Eng. Michael Flynn).
- Worked on the fabrication of polymeric membranes, studying different composites and evaluating their performance using NASA's facilities and equipment.
- Trained and worked independently with a high resolution scanning electron microscope.
- Bi-weekly progress reports, oral and written, to the NASA workforce.
Visiting Graduate Student
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles
05.2018 - 09.2018
- Worked in collaboration with Dr. David Jassby from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.
- Improved the durability of the fabricated electroconductive membranes, tested their feasibility for ammonia oxidation, evaluate its performance using a custom-built flat sheet crossflow membrane module, and design a electrochemical-FO in-situ flow cell.
NASA X-Hab Researcher
NASA Ames Research Center
Mountain View
10.2017 - 05.2018
- Worked independently within NASAs' center facilities for 7-months (Advisor: Eng. Tra-My Justine Richardson).
- Improved carbon dioxide and water recovery (COHO) system by means of selecting an optimal tertiary amine as switchable polarity solvent and studying different thin film composite membranes for promising forward osmosis performance.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Roles: literature search, experiment design, administrative and project management, and monthly reports to NASAs X-Hab team.
Laboratory Manager
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Set and oversaw quality assurance guidelines for laboratory work.
- Kept equipment maintained, facility clean and organized and inventory stocked to maximize performance.
- Processed invoices and expenses to facilitate on-time payment.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Taught Geneal Chemistry Laboratory college-level courses for over 30 students.
- Prepared lessons according to course outline to convey all required material and deepen student understanding of subject matter.
- Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR 08.2014 - 05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
Humacao, PR 08.2010 - 05.2014
Experience Working with the Following Techniques
Analytical Techniques:
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for powders and thin-films, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and zeta potential (i.e. suspension and solids), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOF/TOF), spectrophotometer, pH- and conductivity measurements.
- Electrochemical techniques: cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy, contact angle, porosimetry, and tensile strength measurements.
Organic techniques:
- Photo-, radical-, oxidative- and interfacial polymerizations, and synthesis and purification of small molecules via nucleophilic reaction.
Biological techniques:
- Cell and bacteria culture and maintenance, transfection assays (e.g. luciferase), cytotoxicity assays (e.g. MTS), Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test, and biofilm formation evaluation.
Deposition techniques:
- Sputtering, spin coating, manual and 3D-spray coating, phase inversion, and electrodeposition.
Publications
- P. Cruz-Tato, J. Rivera-Otero and E. Nicolau. Mussel Bioinspired – Photocatalytic Hybrid Membrane for Organic Matter Degradation, Biofilm Prevention and Water Filtration. 2024 in preparation
- P. Cruz-Tato, J. Cruz-Lebron, J. Rivera-Otero, M. Sepúlveda, J. López-Encarnación, T. J. Richardson and E. Nicolau. An Insight into Tertiary Amines as Switchable Polarity Solvents: A Systematic Experimental and Computational Study. 2024 in preparation
- L. Santiago-Martoral, A. Figueroa, P. Cruz-Tato, A.S. Rodríguez-Rolón, L. Bermúdez-Morales and E. Nicolau. Lyotropic liquid crystals – urease biocatalytic membrane: An in-situ FO filtration and urea degradation study under different gravity environments. npj Microgravity. 2024 in preparation
- P. Cruz-Tato, J. Pazol, A. Rodríguez-Rolón and E. Nicolau. Responsive Polymeric Materials in Membrane-based Technologies for Water Treatment Processes Chapter. RSC book titled: Novel Materials and Water Purification. 2024 (Publication date: Feb 2, 2024)
- P. Cruz-Tato, L.I. Penabad, C. Lasalde, A. S. Rodríguez-Rolón and E. Nicolau. Assessing a Multilayered Hydrophilic - Electrocatalytic Forward Osmosis Membrane for Ammonia Electro-Oxidation. ACS ES&T Engineering. 2024 submitted (ID ee-2023-00448z)
- L. Bermúdez-Morales, L. Lizardi, L. Santiago-Martoral, P. Cruz-Tato and E. Nicolau. Zwitterionic and Photocatalytic Janus Membrane Based on Diethylamine N-Oxide Group and WS2 Nanosheets for Dye Removal in Forward Osmosis. ACS Applied Engineering Materials. 2023. (DOI: 10.1021/acsaenm.3c00296)
- J. Pazol, P. Cruz-Tato and E. Nicolau. Characterization of a Model Bioreactive Membrane for the Simultaneous Separation and Hydrolysis of Lipopolysaccharides. ACS Applied Engineering Materials. 2023. (DOI: 10.1021/acsaenm.3c00248)
- G. C. Del Valle-Pérez, J. C. Muñoz-Senmache, P. Cruz-Tato, E. Nicolau and A. J. Hernandez-Maldonado. Trace CO2 Removal from Humid Atmosphere by a Hierarchical Silicoaluminophosphate/Carbon Composite Adsorbent. ACS Applied Engineering Materials. 2023. (DOI: 10.1021/acsaenm.2c00208)
- M. Betancourt-Ponce, C. Morales-Guzman, P. Cruz-Tato and E. Nicolau. Probing the Effect of Amine N-Oxide Zwitterionic Polymer Additives in Polysulfone Forward Osmosis Membranes. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. 2022. (DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.1c01745 )
- J. Muñoz-Senmache, P. Cruz-Tato, E. Nicolau and A. Hernandez-Maldonado. Confined Space Synthesis of Chromium–Based Metal–Organic Frameworks in Activated Carbon: Synergistic Effect on the Adsorption of Contaminants of Emerging Concern from Water. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2022.
(DOI:10.1016/j.jece.2022.107282) - P. Cruz-Tato, T. J. Richardson, J. Romero-Mangado, M. Flynn and E. Nicolau. Performance Evaluation of 1‑Cyclohexylpiperidine as a Draw Solute for Forward Osmosis Water Separation and CO2 Recovery. ACS Omega. 2020. (DOI:10.1021/acsomega.0c03301)
- P. Cruz-Tato, N. Rivera-Fuentes, M. Flynn and E. Nicolau. Anti-fouling electroconductive forward osmosis membranes: electrochemical and chemical properties. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. 2019. (DOI:10.1021/acsapm.9b00087)
- P. Cruz-Tato, E. Ortiz-Quiles, K. Vega-Figueroa, L. Santiago-Martoral, M. Flynn, L. Díaz-Vázquez and E. Nicolau. Metalized Nanocellulose Composites as a Feasible Material for Membrane Supports: Design and Applications for Water Treatment. ACS Environmental Science & Technology. 2017.(DOI:10.1021/acs.est.6b05955)
Honors and Awards
- 2021: NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Grant as Co-Investigator
- 2020: Brookhaven National Laboratory Beam Time
- 2019: Graduate Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship at University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Campus
- 2018: (1) Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Diversity Resources Program travel award to Postdoctoral Preparation Institute; (2) Post-Hurricane Maria Aid for Researchers Grant Program offered by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (“the TRUST”) in partnership with the AAAS Caribbean Division (“AAAS-CD”), Ciencia Puerto Rico (“CIENCIAPR”) and other contributing sponsors to support the recovery efforts of undergraduate and graduate students.
- 2017: eXploration Systems and Habitation 2018 Academic Innovation Grant as Main-Investigator
- 2016: Special recognition by the Puerto Rico Senate for being a young leader and awarded for the NASA ASTAR Fellow
- 2015 - 2019: NASA Advanced STEM Training and Research (ASTAR) Fellowship
- 2015: Municipal Resolution, Special recognition by the Luquillo municipal legislature for being chosen as a NASA ASTAR Fellowship member
Skills
- Project and time management, multitasking abilities, and critical thinking
- Scientific writing, data interpretation, and analysis
- Organizational, technical writing and presentation skills
- Knowledge and experience in analytical and biological methods
- Fast learner, self-motivated professional, and in team-player
- Verbal and written communication in Spanish and English
Selected Presentations and Activities
- Oral Presentations: (1) Tertiary amines as switchable polarity solvents to achieve water purification and CO2 removal presented in NASA PRSPRInT Annual Meeting (2023), (2) "Membranas Responsivas como Alternativa para el Reciclaje de Aguas Residuales" presented in 3rd symposium "El Poder de la Mujer en las Ciencias" (2022); (3) Polymeric- and Bio-Materials for Environmental and Biomedical Applications presented at the activity: Investigación, Alternativas y Apoyo con Fondos Externos at UPR Bayamón (2022); (4)"Overview of opportunities in research - NASA PRSPRInT" presented in 2th symposium "El Poder de la Mujer en las Ciencias” (2021); (5) "Overview NASA Opportunities", presented to undergraduate and graduate students participants from NASA PRSPRInT (2020)
- Outreach activities: (1) Casa abierta del Centro Molecular (2023); "What do astronauts drink? A behind the scenes look at NASA science" virtual talk to Tice Elementary School, FL (2021); (2) "Motivational talk to high school students at Luquillo, PR titled: “De la Capital del Sol al Espacio” ¡Motívate!" (2016); (2) "NASA Opportunities: An insight into a graduate students research experience" at Luquillo, PR (2015).
- Extracurricular activities: (1) Moderator of graduate student's poster session and undergraduate oral presentations at 54th Junior Technical Meeting & 39th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Virtual Meeting (2021); (2) University Garden high school Scientific Fair Judge - virtual event (2021); (3) Moderator of undergraduate oral presentations at 43rd Senior Technical Meeting & PR-LSAMP Fall Virtual Research Symposium (2020); (4) Course: Customer Discovery by I-Corps PR - Grupo Guayacán, Inc. (2019); (5) Short course: “Introduction to X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy” (November 6-8) Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (2018).
Timeline
Scientific Infrastructure Manager
Molecular Science Research Center
10.2023 - Current
Research Associate
University Of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
02.2022 - 09.2023
Associate Chemistry Professor
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
08.2021 - 05.2022
NASA Post-Doctoral Fellow
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
06.2020 - 01.2022
Visiting Graduate Student
University of California - Los Angeles
05.2018 - 09.2018
NASA X-Hab Researcher
NASA Ames Research Center
10.2017 - 05.2018
NASA Graduate Fellow
NASA Ames Research Center
09.2015 - 08.2019
Laboratory Manager
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
08.2015 - 07.2016
Graduate Student Researcher
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
08.2014 - 05.2020
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
08.2014 - 05.2015
Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
08.2014 - 05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Chemistry
University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
08.2010 - 05.2014
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